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Postgame Reaction vs. Carolina

by
Staff Writer
/ Boston Bruins

As Seen on NESN - Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron added to his "First Star" scoring totals as the NHL's top performer in January buried the game-winning goal in the B’s 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh's RBC Center.

Bergeron's tally, scored at 5:06 of the third period, marked his 17th goal of the season.

He leads the Bruins in scoring with 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists).

“It was a good game, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien told NESN’s Naoko Funayama, postgame.

“Again, this is a team batting for a playoff spot and it’s the third time we played them in the last couple of weeks.

"You know, to come out with three wins is a feat in itself.”

Boston goaltender Tim Thomas made 24 saves as the Bruins offense broke out in the second period when Daniel Paille scored his first goal of the season.

“We got some great goaltending, but we also got some good hard work from all the players,” added Julien

Clearly, it was the solid, full-game effort that the Bruins were looking for as they entered the second intermission tied, 1-1, with Carolina.

“We talked about it before the game," said Bergeron to NESN's camera. "We wanted to have a good 60-minute effort.

"We got our vacation legs out in the first period and then it got pretty good.”

Right wing Nathan Horton started the third period scoring off with his first goal since Jan. 3, his 13th of the season, and Bergeron netted the game winner just 1:12 later.

“For Horts is was a nice goal, a nice perfect setup and hopefully that’s the monkey off his back and hopefully he moves forward from here,” Julien said to NESN.

Boston was able to withstand Carolina’s late pressure and come away with the win in the first game of the post-All-Star stretch.

“They put a lot of pressure on us at the end, which is a normal thing," said Julien to Funayama. "But I think for the most part we were able to handle the pressure and push the pucks to the outside.”

Boston traveled home to New England after the game and will take on Dallas on Thursday.